Outfield is Set Cody Bellinger in CF is is allegedly healthy and should be ready for another “monster season” after shoulder surgery. Mookie Betts has RF nailed down for the next dozen years, so that is set. LF belongs to AJ Pollock as long as he can stay healthy. He hasn’t done that much, but when he did, he was All-Star Caliber. The outfield is set. The only question is…
Clueless in Seattle
Please, not another Tom Hanks movie reference! I contemplated as to whether I should write the following column. It is not about the Dodgers, but it does reflect on how stupid some can be in a position at the highest level in a MLB organization. This issue is going to be heavily considered in the upcoming CBA negotiations, so it is important from a MLB standpoint. The Seattle Mariners are now…
The Times, They are a-Changin’
I am sad to say that it appears to me that Street & Smith’s Baseball Yearbook has ceased production. Since I was a kid, I have always bought Athlon Sports Baseball Preview, Lindy’s Sports Baseball Preview, and Street & Smith’s Baseball. It appears that Street & Smith’s has bit the dust and Athlon and Lindy’s can’t be far behind. Time marches on but the nostalgia seems to be waning. Print…
The Best Player I Ever Saw
Well, spring training is here. Right now it is dominated by the sound of balls hitting mitts with amazing velocity. There is plenty of optimism, and from each camp, you hear that this guy looks amazing, and his pitches are jumping out of his hand. All that will change in the next few days when the rest of the squad reports and soon the crack of the bat will join…
2021 – Gavin Lux Starts Over
It was Thursday, June 9, 2016. What a great birthday present for me, Day 1 of the MLB Rule 4 (First Year Player) Draft. Everything I was reading indicated that the Dodgers were leaning towards a HS shortstop as their #1 draft pick. They had two other first rounders that they could spend on college picks (and did: Will Smith and Jordan Sheffield). But the thought of grabbing a HS…
You Want Depth? We Got It!!
Now some think they are really going to miss Kike and Joc. Possibly, they both had memorable moments as Dodgers. But neither was a starter. Joc’s inability to hit LH pitching relegated him to platoon duty of sorts. Although his glove is excellent, Kike could not hold the starting second base job when it was given to him. Twice.
The Dodger’s Closer is Kenley Jansen
In 2020, batters who faced Kenley Jansen had a 14% hard contact rate against Kenley, which happens to be the lowest in all of baseball.
Everything is on the Table
2021 could shape up to be the most unusual season on record… and that is saying a mouthful since COVID-19-2020 was absolutely Bat S___t Crazy! Here’s why: It was a 60 game season – some players struggle for 50 games only to shine for the next 100. Other players shine for 50 games and struggle the next 100 games. Some minor league prospects grow by two or three levels and…
And the 2021 MLB Season Begins
Today is the day that pitchers and catchers are due to report to Camelback Ranch for the Dodgers. Tomorrow is the first day of workouts. Full squad reports February 22, with the first full squad workout scheduled for February 23. The Dodgers play their first spring training game on Sunday, February 28 against the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona. There will be some rules in effect that…
Fans
I thought today I would write about fans. Go to any ballpark on any day and you will find a cross-section of America. Fans of all sizes, shapes, races, and religions. Big, small, short, tall. They all come to the ballpark. Some are laid back, some are knowledgeable, some barely know the game, others can quote the rule book. Some know stats, some do not. Some come for the game,…